While a very large body of data on the occurrence of pesticides in surface water is available, regulators are hesitant to use it in regulatory risk assessment for a variety of reasons. Demonstrating that the data collected is representative of the range and maximum concentrations actually present is a major concern, as peak concentrations may have been missed. Another often competing concern is the cost of taking samples frequently enough and long enough to be useful in risk assessment. A mathematical approach combined with chemical and toxicological considerations is decribed, which bridges the gap between resources and data requirements. With this approach a linear differential equation is used to verify that samples are taken frequently enough that a pulse exposure of aquatic species to pesticides lasting as briefly as one hour in runoff water will not be missed.

Mathematics chemistry and toxicology in the design of pesticide monitoring programs for surface water

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.